Los Angeles County’s Eaton Fire, which occurred seven months ago in Altadena, resulted in the destruction of thousands of homes, with some severely damaged. Despite the devastation, a handful of houses were fortunate enough to escape the flames. Much of the residential area here has already been cleared.
Starting on January 7th, the Eaton Fire burned for 24 days, covering an area of 14,021 acres, destroying 9,413 buildings, damaging around 1,073 structures, and claiming the lives of 19 people. In California’s history, the Eaton Fire ranks as the second most destructive wildfire and the fifth deadliest wildfire, with the cause of the blaze still under investigation.
While surveying the scorched land, a reporter met Jack and Joel Stiver, a father-and-son duo in Altadena. The Stiver family was lucky as their house, located at a small intersection, escaped the fire. Despite neighboring homes being consumed by flames and several houses across the street being destroyed, the buildings on the opposite side remained unscathed.
Speaking of the devastation caused by the fire, Jack Stiver expressed his shock, “It’s terrible! Over 9,000 homes were destroyed by the Eaton Fire. My brother lived in the neighboring street, and he lost everything – his house was completely burnt down, only the garage was left.”
Reflecting on his close call with the fire, Stiver recounted how he nearly became the 20th casualty, “My hearing isn’t great, and the TV was on loud at home. A neighbor knocked on my door to tell me to evacuate, but I didn’t hear it.” Pointing to a large tree in his front yard, Stiver explained how the ancient oak tree, over 400 years old, shielded their house, reinforcing the belief that old trees are more fire-resistant. The Stiver residence not only boasts a large oak tree in the front yard but also features several tall oaks and abundant shrubbery in the backyard.
Determining the oak tree’s age, Stiver mentioned a gentleman who worked at Descanso Gardens in Montrose nearly 50 years ago, who estimated the tree’s age to be around 400 years based on its circumference of approximately 18 feet near the roots. Stiver reflected, “So now it’s about 450 years old. Long ago, Native Americans used to tie their horses around here.”
Various species of oak trees exist, with the iconic “oak tree” in North America typically living 300-500 years, with some even surviving for over a millennium. Although many oaks succumbed to the Eaton Fire, Stiver’s resilient oak tree stood firm, covering their entire front yard with acorns dropping to the ground, attracting numerous ground squirrels that feast on the acorns but also damage plant roots.
The backyard of the Stiver home overlooks a flood control road, featuring an array of oak trees and other vegetation. While the wildfire scorched many trees and bushes uphill, the area below the mountain remained untouched; a defunct railway once traversed the vicinity but has long been closed. Post-fire, the community now enjoys a serene ambiance, with bird song echoing, and sightings of deer in neighboring streets, prompting Stiver to recall instances of bears visiting adjacent homes, which were subsequently deterred.
The Stiver family has owned their home for approximately 75 years. Stiver shared the history of the property, purchased around 1930, with his parents constructing a single-story house in 1947 for about $12,000, now valued at around $1 million. Each house in the region is privately owned and uniquely crafted, with distinct characteristics prior to the wildfire.
The neighborhood comprises a diverse population, including Vietnamese and Korean residents. Some neighbors had to relocate to Riverside County post-fire, with Stiver expressing, “We stayed in Long Beach in LA County for 7 months after the fire, and it may take about 3 more months before we can move back in.” Despite minimal damage to their house, essential services like gas have yet to be restored, emphasizing the need to clean up the substantial smoke and ash residues.
In the flatlands near Pasadena, beyond the devastating scene, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, and its Reading Room remained unscathed by the fire, surrounded by lush greenery in contrast to the burnt-out homes and leveled Altadena Community Church across Altadena Drive. The Community Church, established in 1920 and a pioneer in supporting diverse sexual orientations, now stands as a charred remnant post-fire, testament to the ravages.
Further along Lake Avenue intersecting Altadena Drive, adjacent to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, the Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center was also consumed by the flames, with only remnants left behind, while Altadena Triangle Park and a nearby restaurant were spared, although the neighboring eatery wasn’t as fortunate.
Approximately two-thirds of the Eaton Fire’s burn area lies in the mountains, while one-third affects the Altadena community. Pasadena has been endeavoring to incorporate this region into its jurisdiction. The area houses numerous places of worship representing diverse faiths, including St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Altadena Baptist Church, Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, and Masjid Al-Taqwa Mosque, all of which fell victim to the inferno.
Established in 1887, Altadena is an unincorporated area in Los Angeles County. Under Spanish and Mexican rule, it, alongside Pasadena and other larger regions, existed as ranches and farms before incorporation into the United States. Early landowners and developers like Benjamin Davis Wilson, Benjamin Smith Eaton, and John S. Griffin shaped the region’s landscape, followed by the Woodbury brothers, who transformed the area with railroads, hotels, and street grids. Originally a mainly Caucasian community, Altadena underwent significant demographic changes in the 1960s and now boasts a population of nearly 43,000 residents across an area of 8.48 square miles.
In conclusion, the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena serves as a stark reminder of nature’s indiscriminate power, prompting reflections on resilience, community support, and the enduring spirit of rebuilding and renewal.